per diem

per diem [per dee-uh m, dahy-uh m] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for per diem on Thesaurus.com adverb

1. by the day; for each day.

adjective

2. paid by the day.

noun

3. a daily allowance, usually for living expenses while traveling in connection with one’s work or being employed at a distance from one’s home: a per diem for lawmakers while the legislature is in session.

Origin of per diem Borrowed into English from Latin around 1510–20 Can be confusedper annum per capita per diem Related Words for per diem daily Examples from the Web for per diem Historical Examples of per diem

He advised the per-diem scheme, and with characteristic good nature we acceded to it.

The House

Eugene Field

This looked reasonable enough, but the result was wholly in favor of the per-diem fellows.

The House

Eugene Field

British Dictionary definitions for per diem per diem adverb

1. every day or by the day

noun

2. 1. an allowance for daily expenses, usually those incurred while working
   2. (as modifier)a per-diem allowance

Word Origin for per diem from Latin Word Origin and History for per diem

Latin, literally “by the day,” from per (see per) + diem, accusative singular of dies “day” (see diurnal). As a noun from 1809.

per diem in Culture per diem [(puhr dee-uhm, deye-uhm)]

A Latin phrase meaning “by the day.” Traveling sales reps or government workers often are paid a per diem, meaning an allowance out of which to cover daily expenses while traveling.